DIRECTOR'S TOUR DIARY - DAY 11

16 February 2012
Last Updated on 12 April 2012

Day 11, April 19 – Providence, Rode Island

Second day in smallest state in the continental U.S. of A.

I didn’t write last night thanks to the combined efforts of the Dutch and Irish brew masters at Heineken and Bushmills. That, and the fact that Al was convinced at check-in time yesterday, that my staying on, and filming his intravenous regimen, was undoubtedly a violation of his probation (Texas gun and drug trouble).

By tonight’s show however, a chemically made-over Alien Jourgensen, was once again his Cuban Viking self. Firing on all cylinders, with the nitrous boosting the octane to just shy of 300.

A bepimpled and bespectacled earnestly nerdish looking “hospitality helper” supplied by the venue tonight, came floating in just after the show, and inadvertently crossed swords with Al. The snickering kid (undoubtedly a Primus fan) was delivering a pack of Depends brand adult diapers, that should have been in the dressing room when the band arrived (I know that I’ve mentioned before – adult diapers are on Ministry’s tour rider).

DIRECTOR'S TOUR DIARY - DAY 9

16 February 2012
Last Updated on 05 April 2012

Day 9, April 17 – Toronto, ONT

When Ministry’s leader can’t manage to have fun in and around a show, so also, for the rest of the band, the crew, and I’m afraid the audience too… ‘Twas less than memorable. Not bad, mind you, but when a band has the potential to be darkly overwhelming on a cellular level, and then they merely rain ugliness… It feels almost (pardon me) normal.

DIRECTOR'S TOUR DIARY - DAY 8

16 February 2012
Last Updated on 12 April 2012
Written by Ed

Day 8, April 16 – Toronto, ONT

Was a cold Canadian spring day, entirely off for musicians. Which is to say: If your job is just playing in Ministry, there’ll be nothing required of you, except to heal thyself for the next show tomorrow… But Roadies, Techies, and Bass Monster Paul Barker, all got other jobs, and so, no “free” day. Paul’s biggest non-musical gig being: dealing with the Press.

Unlike the 4 other players in this current incarnation, Paul’s a true partner with Al in Ministry.

DIRECTOR'S TOUR DIARY - DAY 7

Day 7, April 15 – NYC

Bus, en-route to Toronto… The second NYC show earlier tonight, had a little less shock, awe and sick humor to it.

And, strange as it might seem, I’m thinking the reason Ministry’s front-man appeared less dangerous on stage, is precisely because, we are now barreling north toward the Canadian border… Customs… And when first I saw Al, at around lunchtime today, he was bemoaning the myriad confounding worries that have come with his stardom. Topping that list for today: border crossings.

And why not? It’s hardly paranoid to wonder if there wouldn’t be a promotion in order for the state agent who roots out Al’s trove of prescriptionless medicinals.

DIRECTOR'S TOUR DIARY - DAY 4 & 5

Days 4, and 5, April 12/13 – Detroit and points East.

5 am, on the bus headed east to New York. I’ve begun to feel like I’ve felt before, that the footage I’m getting, of real serious hard rock, the needles and the damage done… will never be seen because of corporate, personal, even legal agendas, which will soon act to censor/prohibit.